These minutes have not been formally approved and are subject
to change or modification by the public body at the next meeting

South Plainfield Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting 
Meeting Minutes
December 13, 2011

I.	Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Eric Aronowitz, Board President.

Mr. Aronowitz announced that the meeting was being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act and as such, proper notice of the meeting was published in the official newspapers, The Observer, the Courier News, and the Home News Tribune and posted by the City Clerk on the Public Meetings Bulletin Board.

II.	Roll Call –Present: Eric Aronowitz, Robert Bengivenga, Stephanie Bonanno, Donna Egan, Christine Faustini, and Gary Jones and Pat Massey.
Excused:  Eleanor Haines and Nina Rohrer.
Staff and Guests: Library Director Sundra Randolph, Ken Morgan, Cheryl Nagel Smiley, Libby Barsky, Chrissy Buteas, Tom Laskowski and acting School Superintendent, Gary Bowen.

III.	Approval of the Minutes of the November 1, 2011 meeting.
A motion was made by Christine Faustini to approve the minutes.  It was seconded by Donna Egan.  The motion was approved unanimously. 

IV.	Payment of Vouchers – The vouchers were reviewed and signed by Eric Aronowitz and Gary Jones prior to the Board meeting.  A motion was made by Donna Egan to approve the payment of vouchers in the amount of $48,161.37. It was seconded by Gary Jones.  The motion passed unanimously.

V.	Reports

a.	Expense- the Expense Report was moved for approval by Pat Massey and seconded by Christine Faustini.  The motion passed unanimously. 

b.	Cash Receipts – Christine Faustini made a motion to accept the Cash Receipts report.  It was seconded by Gary Jones. The motion passed unanimously.

c.	Statistical Report – Christine Faustini made a motion to accept the Statistical Report.  It was seconded by Pat Massey.  The motion passed unanimously.

2. Director’s Report–It was moved by Pat Massey to accept the Director’s Report.  It was seconded by Robert Bengivenga. The motion passed unanimously.

3.	Committee Reports-

A.	Finance & Budget – 

Plant Fund–(Capital Reserve Fund)	

Beginning Balance:		11/1/2011	$85,804.57
Checks/Other Debits			$            0
Deposits/Other Credits			$    252.60
Interest					$      35.30
Ending Balance:		11/30/2011	$86,092.47

Operating Account	

Beginning Balance:		11/1 2011	$205,413.38
Checks/Other Debits			$108,441.44
Deposits/Other Credits			$113,504.88
Interest					$        35.16	
Ending Balance:		11/30/2011	$210,511.98

NJ Cash Management (Capital Reserve Fund)	

Beginning Balance:		10/1/2011	$2,089,115.39
Debits						$		0
Deposits/Other Credits			$		0
Interest					$	    55.72
 Ending Balance:		10/31/2011   $ 2,089,171.11

It was moved by Donna Egan to accept the Finance Report.  It was seconded by Robert Bengivenga.  The motion passed unanimously.
											
B.	Policy Committee – Nothing new to report.

C.	Personnel Committee– Nothing to report.

D.	Building & Grounds– Mr. Bengivenga donated a desk chair for the children’s room. The sewer check valve will be done in the spring. The roofer came and repaired the roof. The motion to accept the report was made by Pat Massey. It was seconded by Robert Bengivenga.  The motion passed unanimously.

E.	Community Suggestion Box – Nothing to report.

F.	Friends of the Library – None

G.	Long Range Planning – Entire Board as a Committee of the Whole – None

H.	Mayor’s Alternate Report – Christine Faustini had nothing to report at this time.

I.	Liaison to the Schools Report – Pat Massey – Dr. Bowen spoke to the Board and said he would like to attend meetings when he can.

J.	President’s Report –Mr. Aronowitz thanked the library director for nominating him for the LMX Trustee of the Year award.  He also thanked Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan and Assemblywoman Barbara Buono for the Certificate of Appreciation.  He reported that the Pro Libra search for a new library director had 20 responses to their advertisement.  They have contacted and interviewed those who were qualified.  There are between 7-9 final candidates.  The Search Committee members will review the resumes over the holidays and begin to set up dates for interviews.  They hope to choose someone early in February so the new director can give notice at their current job.

VI.	Old Business: None.

VII.	Public Comment:  Cheryl Nagel Smiley asked about the library funding formula for 2012.  She also asked if there were any plans for building or expanding. Mr. Aronowitz said he will talk to the Mayor and Council after the New Year. The library will receive the 1/3 mil mandatory funding for 2012 which is a little less than 2011.

Ken Morgan asked about the possibility of the library staying open on Sundays during the summer. Mr. Aronowitz said it will depend on funding and staffing.

Tom Laskowski asked about the check valve for the sewer line – why we would wait until spring.  Mr. Bengivenga explained about the ground freezing and that we currently had only one proposal and that we need additional ones.  He wants to find companies that do this kind of job all the time and not contract it out.  Mr. Laskowski asked why there couldn’t be an in house promotion to library director.  Mr. Aronowitz said the Board will consider in house employees but the Board wants to explore all the options by interviewing outside candidates to see who is available.

Chrissy Buteas – She congratulated Mr. Aronowitz on his award.  She asked if moving to Walgreens is a dead issue.  Mr. Aronowitz explained why the library is not considering moving to Walgreens.  Mr. Bengivenga said the flooding in the library has been the main concern for the last few months. Mr. Aronowitz said that maybe something good will come from the flooding.  Maybe people will realized how much the library means to the community.  The library has been cleaned up and looks better.

Gary Jones made a motion to close the Public Comment session.  It was seconded by Robert Bengivenga.  The motion passed unanimously.

VIII.	New Business-

1.	Days closed for Christmas and New Year’s – Robert Bengivenga made a motion to close the library on Saturday, December 24th, Sunday, December 25th and Monday, December 26th and be open on Saturday, December 31st from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.  The motion was seconded by Donna Egan.  The motion passed unanimously.
2.	Pat Massey made a motion to purchase a new computer system firewall for approximately $6,350 from Majestic Enterprises.  The motion was seconded by Robert Bengivenga.  The motion passed unanimously.
3.	Donna Egan made a motion to purchase a Nook Color Plus for approximately $249.00.  The motion was seconded by Christine Faustini.  The motion carried unanimously.
4.	Christine Faustini made a motion to purchase a Kindle Fire for approximately $199.00.  It was seconded by Pat Massey.  The motion carried unanimously.
5.	Robert Bengivenga made a motion to make a donation of $1,000 to the South Plainfield Social Services to purchase food for the community’s people in need.  It was seconded by Gary Jones.  The motion passed unanimously.
6.	Christine Faustini made a motion to accept the proposed 2012 South Plainfield Public Library budget.  It was seconded by Pat Massey.  The motion passed unanimously.
7.	Robert Bengivenga made a motion for the staff to have a holiday party at a local restaurant.  It was seconded by Stephanie Bonanno.  The motion passed unanimously.

IX. Trustee Remarks – 

	Stephanie Bonanno – She said she likes how the library turned out after the flood.
	Robert Bengivenga wished everyone a happy, healthy new year.

Christine Faustini – She also wished everyone a happy, healthy, exciting, new year.

	Donna Egan congratulated Mr. Aronowitz on the Trustee of the Year award.  She wished everyone happy, healthy holidays.

	Pat Massey wished everyone Happy Holidays and said it was very nice to have the acting Superintendent of Schools, Gary Bowen, attend the meeting.

	Gary Jones wished everyone Happy Celebrate Whatever You Want.

	Eric Aronowitz – He thanked everyone for working through this tumultuous year.  The library is in better shape than it was before.  He thanked Mr. Bengivenga for all his help to make the library a better place and better building.  The Board will have to meet to interview candidates for the Board Secretary job.  He wished everyone a happy holiday.  He hopes 2012 will be calmer than 2011.  There will be a new library director and maybe plans for a new library.

X. Adjournment– Donna Egan made a motion to adjourn. It was seconded by Gary Jones.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Sunnie Randolph, Library Director